[SatNews] Intensive pre-launch processing of the Proton-M ILV launch vehicle with Breeze-M upper stage and the Mexican MexSat-1 communications satellite continues at Baikonur cosmodrome.

Artistic rendition of the MexSat-1 satellite on orbit.

Last Friday, MexSat-1 spacecraft was delivered to the cosmodrome and, on Saturday, it was unloaded from the container. Foreign experts supported by the teams of FSUE TsENKI division Yuzhny Space Center have started the autonomous tests of the satellite’s systems in the clean room of the assembly, integration, and test building of pad 92A-50 of the cosmodrome. The Proton-M ILV and Breeze-M upper stage, designed for this launch, are undergoing autonomous tests in the same assembly, integration, and test building. The launch of Proton-M ILV with Breeze-M upper stage and the Mexican MexSat-1 communications satellite is scheduled for late April, 2015.

MexSat-1 (often referred to as MexSat Centenario in the Mexican press) was manufactured by Boeing Satellite Systems and uses the company's 702 HP platform. MexSat-1 weighs about 5.4 tons and carries three ranges of retransmission antennas. The satellite will be placed into the geostationary orbit to the point of 113° W and will provide communications in Mexico and the central part of South America. The satellite is expected to function in orbit for 15 years. The MexSat system is aimed at supplying Mexico’s state and security agencies with land-line and mobile satellite communications. The satellite will also be used to organize telemedicine networks, distance education, alert, and communication in emergency situations.

Proton-M ILV and Breeze-M upper stage are manufactured by Moscow Khrunichev center. As well as other commercial launches, the upcoming launch is provided by International Launch Services,a  joint Russian-American enterprise—the firm has the exclusive right of commercial use of the Russian Proton heavy carrier rocket.